Coast Guard grounds sea vessels in Northern Mindanao

ILIGAN CITY –– The Philippine Coast Guard in Northern Mindanao has stopped the travel of all sea-going vessels in the region as Tropical Depression “Vicky” nears.

Captain Dexter Torres, acting district commander of the Coast Guard in Northern Mindanao, said the order also covers trips going to and coming from the Visayas.

For the ferry operation between Mukas in Lanao del Norte and Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental, the decision to suspend the trips would be up to the local Coast Guard stations, and based on the visibility of the respective ports, Torres added.

Torres warned the fishermen against venturing into the rough seas due to the bad weather.

He has ordered all Coast Guard stations and their auxiliaries to be on standby for any emergency.

On Friday morning, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) issued an orange rainfall warning for Agusan del Sur, Agusan del Norte, and Surigao del Sur.

Apart from heavy rainfall, the NDRRMC also warned against possible floods and landslides due to heavy rains.

LZB